Wasilla City Council listens to update on Main Street Project

WASILLA — The Wasilla City Council listened to an update on the Main Street Rehabilitation Project during the regularly scheduled meeting Monday, July 11.

Alaska Department of Transportation project manager, Kelly Summers and HDR senior transportation project manager, Edith McKee gave a short presentation outlining the latest developments regarding the Main Street Project toward the beginning of the city council meeting.

The Main Street Project was proposed by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration to improve mobility by reconstructing Main Street and nearby roadways in downtown Wasilla.

McKee said one of the main objectives of the project is to improve traffic efficiency with increased traffic circulation, decrease delays, reduce congestion, and improve the north and south travel options. She said increasing overall safety in the area is also a top priority, which includes improved bike and pedestrian facilities, designing the road to current standards, and reducing crash rates.

According to McKee, design efforts for the project started in 2014. The project will upgrade Main Street, Knik Goose Bay Road, Talkeetna Street, and Yenlo Street with each becoming a two-lane one-way roadway forming into a one-way couplet. She said the design team is working towards a 95 percent review by March of 2023.

“The goal of the proposed design is to minimize vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle conflict while improving the capacity and safety of all the streets,” McKee said. “The goal was to create a vibrant, walkable downtown that promotes economic growth and provides an attractive place for residents and visitors to work, shop, and visit,” McKee said.

For more information about the Main Street Rehabilitation Project, visit wasillamainstreetproject.com/Wasilla

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com